This Christmas, I was given the first and second book in the “Belladonna” series, “Belladonna” and “Foxglove” by Adalyn Grace. I was skeptical of the quality of the books at first glance, but once I started reading, I could not put it down. “Belladonna” is one of the greatest and most creative books I’ve read in a while. With its gothic infusions and macabre elements, it does a great job of immersing the reader in the story.
The main character in “Belladonna” is Signa, a 19-year old who has had Death by her side all her life. The first encounter Signa has with Death is when she was just a baby. Signa’s mother, Rima Farrow, brought her to a party and everyone at the party died, including her parents, except for Signa. In the time after the party, Signa goes to caretaker after caretaker, all of whom just want to take care of her for her fortune. Each caretaker dies within months of Signa being with them, summoning Death.
In the beginning chapters, Signa is living with Aunt Magda, a terrible and cold-hearted woman. During this time, all Signa can think about is inheriting the family manor and fortune once she turns 20. One night, Death comes to take Aunt Magda. It is a terrible ordeal, but in the end Aunt Magda ends up dying. Signa feels happy because Aunt Magda was a terrible person and treated her horribly, but guilty at the same time because she feels like Aunt Magda’s death was her fault.
A couple days later, a carriage arrives for Signa. She is confused but gladly goes with Sylas, who is a stable boy for Thorn Grove. Sylas has come to collect Signa in the carriage because Lillian Hawthorne has died, Blythe Hawthorne is deathly ill, and Elijah Hawthorne has agreed to take in Signa as his ward. Lillian and Elijah are Signa’s aunt and uncle, and Blythe and Percy are her cousins. Sylas and Signa arrive at Thorn Grove to find a large party taking place. Sylas explains that ever since Elijah’s wife Lillian has died, he has dealt with the grief by partying, which Signa finds weird. Shortly after, Signa meets the spirit of Lillian who is very angry and convinced that she was murdered.
She begins investigating and eventually discovers that Blythe is being poisoned. Sylas, the stable boy, helps her to investigate because he wants to help the Hawthornes. Meanwhile, Death is lurking. Signa begins opening up to him and they begin to have a loving relationship. Death is helping her investigate and also helping Signa use and discover her powers. Signa has the same powers as Death. She can walk through walls and take lives and also become invisible. I won’t spoil the ending, but there is a grand turn of events and a lot is revealed.
This is an intricately told gothic mystery with twists and turns that I thoroughly enjoyed. There is a good amount of romance sprinkled all throughout which really adds to the story. I really encourage anyone who enjoys romance mystery books to check this series out. Stay tuned for my review of the second book in this series, “Foxglove”!
I rate “Belladonna” by Adalyn Grace a 5/5.
